Music of Acoma, Isleta, Cochiti, and Zuñi Pueblos - Flutopedia.com

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87
No. 62.
Buffalo Dance song (c)—Continued
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Analysis.—This song was difficult to transcribe as ttie pitch was lowered a semitone
and the time increased suddenly, then increased gradually as indicated. The
pitch was gradually lowered while the tempo was increasing. This is not shown
in the transcription which is on the original pitch. A slight lowering of pitch
level was heard in some other renditions by this singer. He stated, however, that
he was not aware of such a custom among the Cochiti. He learned many songs
from his grandfather and it is possible that he learned them with a lowering of
pitch and did not realize it was intentional.
OUWE DANCE SONGS
In February, before there is any planting, the Cochiti dance the
Ouwe dance in order that they may have good crops. Each kiva
group has its own songs and rehearses them for several weeks before
the dance. The costumes are elaborate and the dancing begins about
9 o'clock in the evening, continuing until 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning.
Four times during the night the people and singers from the Squash
kiva visit the Tiu^quoise Idva and sing, the visit being returned by
members of the Turquoise group. In the dance of the Squash people
the men are in the front line and the women behind them. A man
with a drum stands still in front of the dancers. The songs mention
every sort of vegetable and ask for an abundance of each.
The following song, like others recorded by Evergreen Tree, was
used by Indians belonging to the Squash kiva, and he demonstrated
the gestures that were taught him by his father. These were in the
nature of a pantomime concerning the subject of the song and accompanied
the singing.